Design software news

Apple's Shake broadcast compositing software gets price cut

Apple computer has drastically reduced the price of its broadcast compositing software Shake. Originally priced at US$2,999, the price has been cut to US$499.

Shake version 4.1 has also been released as a universal binary, which allows it to be installed on PowerPC Macs as well as Apple's new Intel based computers, including MacBooks, iMacs and Mac minis.

According to Apple's own tests, common tasks such as color correction, warping and filter operations are processed up to 3.5 times faster on a MacBook Pro (which runs on Intel processors) than on a PowerBook G4 (which uses the PowerPC processor).

As well as integrating with Final Cut Pro (it can be launched directly from the Final Cut Pro timeline), Shake offers a range of features for video editors, including re-touching and complex 3D compositing.

By implementing this dramatic price cut, Apple is further advancing itself as a forerunner in the professional broadcast design, video and film editing market, which also includes software tools such as Autodesk Combustion and Eyeon Fusion. It could also be seen as a challenge to Adobe's After Effects application.

Shake is available directly from Apple, which also offers crossgrade deals of US$49 for users of Shake version 4.0.

21 June 2006

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